Hopeful of more India-Bangladesh cricket series in new FTP: BCB

Kolkata, April 24 - There are chances that India might host Bangladesh more in future with the isuue of a greater number of bilateral series between the two set to be discussed when Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2019-2023 is confirmed here during the on-going five-day International Cricket Council (ICC) meet.

"We are expecting some more matches in the next ICC FTP cycle. There will be more number of India-Bangladesh matches in both India and Bangladesh. We are hopeful," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told IANS on Tuesday.

The FTP for 2019-2023 may have already been agreed upon by the ICC full members, but the document that binds the Test-playing nations to adhere to the programme will be submitted to the ICC at its quarterly board meeting here on April 25 and 26.

India have hosted Bangladesh for a bilateral series only once so far, in Hyderabad in 2017 when Virat Kohli and his team pummelled their neighbours by 208 runs.

In total, there have been six India-Bangladesh Test series, including the 2017 five-day affair.

With Bangladesh's rising status as a cricketing force, Chowdhury felt the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafiqur Rahim should tour India more and in general engage in more bilateral ties with Kohli and his boys.